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Germany's Tim Stuetzle (R) in action against Slovakia's goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj and Patrik Koch during the men's quater final Ice hockey match between Slovakia and Germany, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Peter Kneffel/dpa
Germany's ice hockey bosses will conduct a review after the men's team crashed out in the Winter Olympic quarter-finals.
The squad was widely considered the best Germany has ever sent to a Games. But German Ice Hockey Federation sporting director Christian Künast said on Thursday that the 6-2 defeat to Slovakia the day before means a thorough analysis is needed.
"It just shows that we're not quite as far along as we expected to be, including our own expectations. We were a very, very good team off the ice. On the ice, we never really became one," Künast told broadcaster ZDF.
The NHL's decision to allow its players to feature at these Olympics for the first time in three editions had boosted Germany's hopes given the likes of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl could compete.
But it has also helped other nations, with record winners Canada facing Finland in Friday's semi-finals when powerhouses the US meet Slovakia.
"We are definitely a long way behind the big nations like Canada, the USA and Sweden, and it's the depth. We have very, very good players, but we don't have as many of them as these nations," Künast added.
"It was the little things that were missing. You can't afford little things at this level, and that's why we deserved to be eliminated in the quarter-finals."
The World Cup take places in Germany in 2027. Until then, national coach Harold Kreis' team have a lot of work to do.
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